Early Childhood Iowa Area Board

Newsletter

Volume 21 - July 2017
Greetings and Happy 4th of July!

The legislative session began on January 9, 2017 and concluded April 22 2017 which was a couple of days over the scheduled date to adjourn. Early Childhood Iowa suffered yet another reduction for FY18. However, there was a win regarding cumbersome legislative language. Language was removed regarding some of the categorical funding for Early Childhood Iowa.  By eliminating the categorical  funds it allows local controlled ECI boards to meet the needs of families with young children. This has been stumbling block in building a comprehensive early childhood system  for many years.  Local ECI area boards are grateful for this change.

So you may have a little background, Early Childhood Iowa has two funding streams, early childhood funding that flows through the Iowa Department of Human Services and school ready funding that flows through the Iowa  Department of Education. Since 2008, early childhood funding decreased by 20% and the school ready funding has decreased by 45%.  We will continue to advocate for restore of funding back to the 2008 levels. 

************************************************************
The 4 R Kids ECI Area Board is charged with administering grants to
meet the needs in Adair, Dallas, and Warren County. This spring the 4
R Kids ECI area board has awarded just shy of $1 million in grants
for FY2018 Programming to serve families with young children in
Adair, Dallas, Madison, and Warren County. These programs have
proven to make difference in the lives of children. Research proves
that when you invest $1 in early childhood services you will receive a
$7 return. Another way to think about this is, put $1 million into a
slot machine and it spits out $7 million in return. Who wouldn't
want that?
************************************************************

You have the chance to invest in our youngest citizens...and all you have to do is volunteer your time!
 
The Iowa 4 R Kids Early Childhood Area Board is seeking applicants who want to help children age 0-5 grow, learn and prepare for Kindergarten. With the state financial resources, our twelve member board awards Early Childhood grants to ensure young children will be healthy and successful. 
 
Board membership is available  to residents who reside or work in Adair, Dallas, Madison, or Warren County, and do not directly or indirectly receive funds from the Board. For more information download the 4 R Kids Board membership application or contact the ECI Director,  Debra Schrader.
The 4 R Kids ECI Area Board has a Facebook Page!   Like us on Facebook  
Debra Schrader
4 R Kids Executive Director
Iowa Youth Survey
Students in the 6th, 8th, and 11th grades across the state of Iowa answered questions about their attitudes and experiences regarding alcohol and other drug use and violence, and their perceptions of their peer, family, school, and neighborhood/community environments. You can get a report for each of the 99 counties by going  here.
The Nation's Older Population Is Still Growing!
The nation's population has a distinctly older age profile than it did 16 years ago, according to new U.S. Census Bureau population estimates.
New detailed estimates show the nation's median age - the age where half of the population is younger and the other half older - rose from 35.3 years on April 1, 2000, to 37.9 years on July 1, 2016.  
"The baby-boom generation is largely responsible for this trend," said Peter Borsella, a demographer in the Population Division. "Baby boomers began turning 65 in 2011 and will continue to do so for many years to come." 
Reports showing age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin in Iowa and it's 99 counties can be found on the State Data Center website.
Heatsroke is the Number one Killer! 
Heatstroke is the number one killer of children, outside of car crashes. As temperatures rise, the risks of children dying from being left alone inside a hot vehicle also rises. "
One child dies from heatstroke nearly every 10 days from being left in a hot vehicle,
 
but what is most tragic is that these deaths could have been prevented." Anyone caring for a child are urged to do three things: 
(1) Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended; 
(2) Make it a habit to look in the back seat EVERY time you exit the car;
(3) Always lock the car and put the keys out of reach. 
Anyone that sees a child left alone in a vehicle is urged to call 911 right away.
Early Childhood Iowa
Stay up to date with Early Childhood Iowa.  The  Early Childhood Iowa website has a plethora of information. 

A baby's brain uses 3 times the amount of energy that your brain does - that's a busy brain!
Eyebrows!
Did you know that a baby's eyebrows and lashes are fully formed at 28 weeks in pregnancy!
Did You Know?
In the U.S., the average baby starts watching TV at 5 months old. Before 7th grade, 82% of children are online.
  Cat or Dog?
Babies can distinguish cats from dogs, something that is extremely difficult to program into a computer!
Swinging!  
A child learns to pump on a swing around 
4-5 years old
Did You Know? 
Children who watch more than three hours of television, videos, or DVDs a day have a higher chance of conduct problems, emotional symptoms, and relationship problems by the time they are 7 than children who do not
4 R Kids ECI 
7th Annual Appreciation Reception
December 7,2017
5:30-7:30
Annelise Winery
Indianola Iowa
Come and hear how early childhood services have made a difference in lives of families!
More information to follow!
Save The Dates
4 R Kids 
Board Meetings
S etpember 14, 2017
October 19 2017
November 16, 2017 

Debra Schrader, 4 R Kids Executive Director

4 R Kids Early Childhood Iowa Area Board

1011 Pear Avenue

Prescott, Iowa 50859

641-344-2250

4rkids-eci.org

4rkidseci@gmail.com


Join Our Mailing List
Like us on Facebook
4 R Kids Early Childhood Iowa Area Board Vision
"Every child beginning at birth will be healthy and successful"